Alot has changed as in the prices of 1080p units have come down significantly since that time. There are alot more manufacturers coming out with various models, getting into price wars behind the scenes vying for consumers money. There are alot more sources available in 1080p format as well. Computers now a days can handle 1080p resolutions in both everyday applications and gaming. Gaming systems as well as HD video formats are also supporting 1080p.
Larger screen sizes have also come down in price as well. Larger screens = larger pixel sizes. The higher the resoution, the smaller the pixels, the less jaggedness. Your also "future proofing" yourself with a 1080p set, as cost for production and equipment to capture at those resolutions, will continue to come down.
And I do know well enough how each format works. I dont need wikipedia articles dumbing things down for me and boring me to death with stuff I already know and understand. (Not a big fan of wiki's.)
However, re-reading the original posters question, I'd suggest just sticking with whatever TV you have, save the money, and shop around after 2009 once NTSC is shut off. Even though manufacturers souldnt be making any NTSC tv sets anymore, once the change over is "official", the prices of HDTVs sould go down even further. Any additions to the transports for 1080p sould also be finalized by then, so HDTVs manufactured after then sould support them all, although I believe most will be supported with external hardware (cable/satellite boxes) while internally the HDTV will remain the same.
